My OperaFlowers Care of Mother's Day Flowers
Friday, June 11, 2010 9:54:42 AM
These guidelines are for Moms everywhere who have been given flowers on Mother's Day. These guidelines can help keep flowers fresh for a longer time. Handling fresh flowers correctly will certainly increase the vase-life. If you happen to be giving your mother fresh flowers for Mother's Day, include the following tips with the flowers. Mom will be glad you did.
Understand that fresh cut flowers have been separated from both their roots, which supply water, as well as from their leaves which supply food. Under those conditions, what is the best, most effective way to help fresh flowers last? When you go online to search for an easy answer, you'll soon discover lots of answers, few of them easy. Listed below are specific techniques from an experienced florist to make fresh flowers last as long as possible.
The first step is to manage flowers well from the minute you take delivery of them. Keep them cool and keep them in water. At the very first opportunity draw a sink filled with water, put the stems below the water and trim them back 1/2" to 1" at an angle. Always use a very sharp knife (not serrated) or scissors. The angled cut does several things. First it exposes more surface area, second, an angled cut makes it easier to stick the stem into florist's foam. The point of cutting the stems under water is to get rid of all the air bubbles trapped in the stems. Air bubbles can prevent the uptake of water. Allow the flowers to soak for a few minutes. In the meantime, carefully wash the vase with a 10% bleach solution.
The next problem is what liquid to put in the vase to keep the flowers fresh as long as possible. Suggested home-based preservative options include aspirin, copper pennies, sugar, bleach, lemon juice, corn syrup, non-diet lemon-lime soda, vodka, and Listerine to rock salt. You can find some truth behind several, but not all, of the home-based options. By far the best solution is to use the packets of floral preservative that generally come with fresh flowers. These packets contain the chemicals flowers require to remain fresh for an extended period.
When selecting a spot to display your flowers keep them as cool as possible and out of direct sun. Be sure they don't run low on water. Replace the preservative mixture every other day. If there is enough stem on the flowers, trim inch off every time you replace the solution.
Now you know how the best way to extend the life of your fresh flowers. To recap 1. Treat the flowers right from the moment you receive them. 2. Water is a critical part of flower care. Keep flowers in water to keep them fresh. 3. Keep flowers cool. Warm conditions reduce the life of fresh flowers. 4. Change the preservative solution every other day. Snip " off the stems if possible. 5. Potted plants are also popular gifts on Mother's Day. Keep them slightly moist and in a cool location with bright light. Avoid drafts and dry air for longer life.
About the Author Charles Osborne is a long-time Tampa florist. For more than 25 years he's been the owner of A-Bow-K Florist and Gifts. A-Bow-K delivers fresh flowers for Mother's Day all across Tampa and nearby areas.Flowers: Flower Delivery
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